Friday, March 17, 2006

Six Nations members defend their land

SIX NATIONS - Six Nations community people remain unarmed and peaceful at the site of Douglas Creek near Caledonia on Six Nations Territory known as the Haldimand Tract.

In 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand issued a proclamation authorizing Six Nations to take possession of and settle upon the banks of the Grand River "beginning at Lake Erie and extending in that proportion to the head of the said river which them and their posterity are to enjoy forever."

An injunction against some members of Six Nations was heard in Cayuga Provincial Court today at 2 p.m. Judge Thomas David Marshall was asked to step down from presiding over this case as it was presented to be found that he held land deeds on the Haldimand Tract. After a short recess, Judge Marshall declared no conflict and proceeded. No judgment was made and the hearing continues Friday, March 17, 2006 at 11 a.m.

The Six Nations community people at the land reclamation site wish this situation to come to a peaceful end. They are prepared to accept a resolution of the following two conditions. First, they wish any further development on their land to cease and desist. Second, they wish to be informed that Six Nations land claims will be settled by the federal government.

The Six Nations community people feel confident that the urgency and the importance of this situation will result in a positive solution.

For more information contact:

Lisa VanEvery, Media Consultant Janie Jamieson, Spokesperson

Phone: (519) 771-5681 Phone:(905) 517-7006

Fax: (519) 751-1595

Email: c-p-i@rogers.com

Here is some background info from the gathering place

Backgrounder

The Douglas Creek Estates development is currently under construction on lands stolen from the Six Nations Peoples. On Feb. 28th, the Peoples re-occupied their land and said they will stay until jurisdiction and title over the land is restored to Six Nations.

The British Crown granted the Six Nations Reserve a 10- kilometre strip on each side of the Grand River from the mouth to the source, a tract of about 950,000 acres. But today, the reserve covers only about 5 per cent of the tract. Protesters say the rest of the lands were stolen, squatted on or illegally transferred after being leased to non-natives. Protesters say the building site, which could eventually accommodate close to 200 homes, is part of the original tract granted to the Six Nations people more than 200 years ago. The proposed development and impending growth continues to infringe on Six Nations treaty rights.The land was never sold, transferred or surrendered to non-natives and the site is still part of the Six Nations territory, even though at least two of the houses have been sold and were soon to be occupied. The protesters are acting under the direction of the Six Nations Confederacy, the traditional chiefs. They believe the Confederacy -- and not the elected band council -- has the authority to negotiate lands on behalf of Six Nations. Gathering place